Relief package

ABSTRACT

A relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration. The relief package includes an outer shell having a first pouch and a second pouch. A supply kit is positioned within the first pouch, and a relief pod is positioned within the second pouch. The relief pod includes a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles that can be assembled to define an enclosure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/824,854, filed Sep. 7, 2006.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a relief package, and in particular, a relief package including a relief pod for immediate deployment in a disaster, emergency relief or survival scenario.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration. The relief package includes an outer shell that includes a first pouch and a second pouch. A supply kit is positioned within the first pouch, and a relief pod is positioned within the second pouch. The relief pod includes a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles. When the relief package is deployed, the support poles support the cover above the base to define an enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tarp which is part of one embodiment of a relief pod for use in a relief package;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the tarp shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a floatation/insulation pad which is part of the relief pod for use in the relief package;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the floatation/insulation pad shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a pair of support poles which are part of the relief pod for use in the relief package;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a spine pole which is part of the relief pod for use in the relief package;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the relief package in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is a is a front view of the relief package shown in FIG. 7 in an open position;

FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate the relief pod in various stage of assembly;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a first configuration of the relief pod in a fully assembled manner;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the relief pod shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a second configuration of the relief pod in a fully assembled manner;

It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shown in FIGS. 1-12 is a relief package 80 for immediate deployment in a refugee and disaster relief scenario, to form a tent city, as well as to be used as an emergency vehicle, home, a municipal emergency inventory stock item, or even as use as an ultra-light backpack. The relief package 80 is designed for extreme and severe conditions such as rain and flooding, cold weather and snow, hot weather and sun, wind, urban disaster, tornado, earthquake, hurricane, and various other severe weather conditions. The relief package 80 provides emergency shelter and supplies to a user and is also can functions as a flotation device in flood scenarios. The relief package 80 is able to be used in a “tent city” or other populated shelter applications to provide privacy, comfort, and security. The relief package 80 has a low profile with a generally flat and cubicle shape which is lightweight and conducive to high volume packing, shipping, on-site deployment and air drops. The relief package 80 is designed to be generally weatherproof, water resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, tear resistant, breathable, multifunctional, and durable. In some embodiments, the relief package 80 may be made of nearly 100% recyclable materials, however non-recyclable materials, or combinations of recyclable and non-recyclable materials may also be used. The relief package 80 can also automatically unfold and open up, simplifying assembly.

The relief package 80 includes an outer shell 181 that includes a dromedary pouch 182 and a supply pouch 184. The relief package also includes a relief pod 100 that is located within the dromedary pouch 182. As illustrated in FIGS.1-5, the relief pod 100 includes a tarp 102, a floatation pad 150 (which also provides insulation, as discussed below), support poles 120, 146, and spine pole 170.

The tarp 102 includes a front surface 103 opposed to a back surface 104 and is divided into a top portion 106, a middle portion 104 and a bottom portion 132 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tarp 102 is formed from a sturdy, durable material which is preferably weatherproof, water resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, tear resistant, and breathable. Materials for forming the tarp 102 can include spunbonded olefin, such as Tyvek®, polymer based woven fabric materials such as nylon or polyester taffeta, leather, cotton, or other woven fabrics or materials. The tarp 102 and the various features of the tarp 102 discussed below may be formed by stitching, sewing, gluing, or other suitable methods for forming or shaping textile or textile-like materials. The tarp 102 is preferably generally rectangular in shape, however tarp 102 may take other forms or shapes such as being ovular, circular, or square. In some embodiments the tarp may include assembly instructions, printed in multiple languages and including universally understandable symbols. Survival tips or instructions may also be printed on the tarp 102, and the tarp 102 may be manufactured or printed in a high-visibility color, such as blaze orange, or may also be camouflaged for some applications.

The top portion 106 of the tarp 102 is preferably rectangular in shape and forms four openings 110, wherein each opening 110 is located near one of four corners of the top portion 106, as illustrated FIG. 1. Preferably, a polymer-based or metal-based grommet 112 is secured around each opening 110 to prevent the opening from enlarging or deforming. The top portion 106 forms a pull cord sleeve 109 along a top edge 107 of the tarp 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The pull cord sleeve 109 runs from one side edge 111 of the tarp 102 to an opposing side edge 113 of the tarp 102. A pull cord 108 is run through the pull cord sleeve 109 so that portions of the pull cord 108 extend through each end of the pull cord sleeve 109.

The tarp 102 includes a support spine tab 116 formed along a center of a bottom edge 117 of the top portion 106. The support spine tab 116 is attached at one end to the tarp 102 and forms an opening 110 with a grommet 112 secured around the opening 110. A pole support sleeve 118 is formed along the bottom edge 117, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The pole support sleeve 118 extends from one side edge 111 of the tarp 102 to an opposing side edge 113 of the tarp 102. The pole support sleeve 118 forms a channel which is used to envelope a support pole 120. The support pole 120 is positioned in the pole support sleeve 118 and extends through the pole support sleeve 118 so that portions of the support pole 120 extend beyond each edge 111, 113 of the tarp 102. The support pole 120 includes a pair of rubber, polymer-based, metal-based, or other material stops 121, 122 fastened near opposing ends of the support pole 120. The stops 121, 122 prevent the ends of the support pole 120 from entering the pole support sleeve 118 as well as from pushing through the grommets 112 of flotation pad 150 when assembled.

The middle portion 124 of the tarp 102 is located between the top portion 106 and the bottom portion 132 and includes three ties 127 sewn or glued in place 129 along the center of the middle portion 124 in a generally straight line direction from the support spine tab 116 to a support spine tab 142, as shown in FIG. 1. The middle portion 124 also forms three openings 110 along each side 111, 112, wherein two of the openings 110 are located at the two upper corners of the middle portion 124, two of the openings 110 are located at the two lower corners of the middle portion 124, and two openings are located between the upper and lower corners of the middle portion 124, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Preferably, a grommet 112 is secured around each opening 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A total of preferably six openings 110 and grommets 112 are formed in the middle portion 124.

The bottom portion 132 of the tarp 102 is preferably rectangular in shape and forms four openings 110, wherein each opening 110 is located near one of four corners of the bottom portion 132, as illustrated FIG. 1. Preferably, a polymer-based or metal-based grommet 112 is secured around each opening 110 to prevent the opening from enlarging or deforming. The bottom portion 132 forms a pull cord sleeve 135 along a bottom edge 133 of the tarp 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The pull cord sleeve 135 runs from one side edge 111 of the tarp 102 to an opposing side edge 113 of the tarp 102. A pull cord 134 is run through the pull cord sleeve 135 so that portions of the pull cord 134 extend through each end of the pull cord sleeve 135.

The tarp 102 includes a support spine tab 142 formed along a center of a top edge 139 of the bottom portion 132. The support spine tab 142 is attached at one end to the tarp 102 and forms an opening 110 with a grommet 112 secured around the opening 110. A pole support sleeve 144 is formed along the top edge 139, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The pole support sleeve 144 extends from one side edge 111 of the tarp 102 to an opposing side edge 113 of the tarp 102. The pole support sleeve 144 forms a channel which is used to envelope a support pole 146. The support pole 146 is positioned in the pole support sleeve 144 and extends through the pole support sleeve 144 so that portions of the support pole 146 extend beyond each edge 111, 113 of the tarp 102. The support pole 146 includes a pair of rubber, polymer-based, metal-based, or other material stops 147, 148 fastened near opposing ends of the support pole 146. The stops 147, 148 prevent the ends of the support pole 146 from entering the pole support sleeve 144 as well as from pushing through the grommets 112 of pad 150 when assembled.

The back surface 104 includes fasteners 114, 115 located along opposing side edges 111, 113 of the top portion 106 and fasteners 137, 138 located along opposing side edges 111, 113 of the bottom portion 132, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The back surface 104 also includes fasteners 140, 141 near opposing edges 111, 113 of the middle portion 124. Preferably, the three openings 110 and grommets 112 along the side edge 111 of the middle portion 124 are located between the side edge 111 and the fastener 141, and the three openings 110 and grommets 112 along the side edge 113 of the middle portion 124 are located between the side edge 113 and the fastener 140, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Preferably the fasteners 114, 115, 137, 138, 140, and 141 are hook and loop type fasteners such as VELCRO, but other types of fasteners may also be used such as: mechanical type fasters including screws, nails, staples, clasps, snap fit members, and stitches; and chemical type fasteners including glue and welding seams; and any such device or method which may be used to attach one object to another.

The floatation/insulation pad 150 includes pads 154, 155, 156 and 157 located within a sleeve 151. Preferably sleeve 151 is formed from a sturdy, durable material which is preferably weatherproof, water resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, tear resistant, and breathable. Materials for forming the sleeve 151 may include a spunbonded olefin, such as Tyvek®, polymer based woven fabric materials such as nylon or polyester taffeta, leather, cotton, or other such woven fabrics or materials. The tarp sleeve 151 and the various features of the sleeve 151 discussed below may be formed by stitching, sewing, gluing, or other suitable methods of forming textile or textile-like materials.

Preferably the pads 154, 155, 156 and 157 comprise a material which is less dense than water for floatation purposes, and also has a high thermal resistance (e.g. R-value) for insulating purposes. Suitable materials may include: insulating foam, including extruded polystyrene such as STYROFOAM®; and rubber or other polymer based foams or materials. Additionally, pads 154, 155, 156, and 157 may comprise materials which may not be less dense than water but still provide insulation, such as down, cotton, fur, padding made from polymer fibers, and other such types of materials. Pads 154, 155, 156 and 157 are preferably greater than ¼ inches thick, and preferably between ½ to two inches thick. Preferably, pads 154, 155, 156 and 157 have a width W and length L of between 10 and 40 inches, and more preferably between 12 and 30 inches, and most preferably of about length (L) of 18 inches and width (W) of 24 inches.

The floatation/insulation pad 150 includes a first seam 159 formed between the first pad 154 and the second pad 155, a second seam 160 formed between the second pad 155 and the third pad 156, and a third seam 161 formed between the third pad 156 and the fourth pad 157. The flotation/insulation pad 150 also includes a perimeter seam 162 formed around the perimeter of the pads 154, 155, 156 and 157, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Each seam 159, 160, 161, 162 affixes a top surface 158 of the sleeve 151 to a bottom surface 163 of the sleeve 151. Each seam 159, 160, 161, 162 can be formed in a variety of ways including: mechanical means such as sewing, stapling, nailing, and clamping; and chemical means such as gluing or welding. The pads 154, 155, 156 and 157 are arranged in a manner such that a bottom edge of the first pad 154 is adjacent a top edge of the second pad 155, a bottom edge of the second pad 155 is adjacent to a top edge of the third pad 156, and a bottom edge of the third pad 156 is adjacent to a top edge of the fourth pad 157, as illustrated to FIGS. 3 and 4.

A top fastener 164 is connected adjacent a top edge of the first pad 154 and a bottom fastener 165 is connected adjacent a bottom edge of the fourth pad 157. Both the top and bottom fasteners 164, 165 are located on the top surface 158 of the sleeve 151. A first side fastener 166 is located along a first side 169 of the pads 154, 155, 156 and 157 and a second side fastener 167 is located along a second side 168 of the pads 154, 155, 156 and 157. Both the first and second side fasteners 166, 168 are located on the bottom surface 158 of the sleeve 151.

The top and bottom fasteners 164, 165 each form three openings 110 having grommets 112 secured to each opening 110. One opening 110 is formed along a first end of the top fastener 164, a second opening 110 is formed at an opposing end of the top fastener 164, and a third opening 110 is formed between the first two openings 110 in the top fastener 164, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Additionally, one opening 110 is formed along a first end of the bottom fastener 165, a second opening 110 is formed at an opposing end of the bottom fastener 165, and a third opening 110 is formed between the first two openings 110 in the bottom fastener 165, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The side fasteners 166, 167 each form a single opening 110 having a grommet 112 secured to that opening 110 located along a central portion of each respective side fasteners 166, 167, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The relief pod 100 also includes two support poles 120, 146 which are preferably made out of a flexible yet rigid, lightweight material such as fiberglass, aluminum alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, wood, and other such materials, as shown in FIG. 5. Each support pole 120, 146 is preferably a hollow tube, to reduce weight, and includes rubber, polymer-based, metal-based, or other material stops 121, 122, 147, 148 near each end of each pole 120, 146.

The relief pod 100 also includes a spine pole 170 which is preferably made out of a flexible yet rigid, lightweight material such as fiberglass, aluminum alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, wood, and other such materials, as shown in FIG. 6. The spine pole 170 is preferably a hollow tube having a multi-piece, collapsible structure which uses using four inter-connected pieces 173, 174, 175 and 176. Each inter-connected piece 173, 174, 175, 176 includes an enlarged area 178 which has an opening designed to mate with a smaller area 179 of an adjacent piece 173, 174, 175, 176. The spine pole 170 includes a cord 177, which is preferably placed under tension, and extends through the inside of the hollow pole 170. In this manner, the pole 170 can be easily assembled by allowing the tension of the cord 177 to pull the inter-connected pieces 173, 174, 175, 176 together and form a straight and singular spinal pole 170, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Spinal Pole 170 is designed to fit into the grommets 112 on each support spine tab 116, 142 and tied to each of the ties 127 in order to support the relief pod in an assembled configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Relief package 80 includes an outer shell 181 affixed to a supply pouch 184 and a dromedary pouch 182, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The supply pouch 184 may contain a variety of emergency use items, such as, without limitation: emergency food rations (i.e. high calorie food bars); emergency blankets; water pouches; a tool such as a multiple use tool; cord such as 25′ to 50′ of nylon cord; waterproof matches; a knife; light sticks; hand warmers; a rain poncho such as a clear plastic rain poncho; a basic first aid kit including items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, tissues, toilet paper, moist towelettes, a tampon, a sanitary napkin, and duct tape; a fishing and hunting kit including items such as fishing line, hooks, sinkers, floats, and instructions on use of the kit; a bio-chem suit; protective gloves; a respirator; safety goggles; potassium iodide tablets; a radio; emergency locator beacons; a water purifier straw; and a flashlight.

Openings 110 are formed with grommets 112 secured around the openings 110 along both side edges 186, 187 and top and bottom edges 190, 191 of the outer shell 181. Preferably three openings 110 are formed along the top edge 190 of the outer shell 181. One opening 110 is formed along a first end of the top edge 190, a second opening 110 is formed at an opposing end of the top edge 190, and a third opening 110 is formed between the first two openings 110 along the top edge 190. Preferably three openings 110 are formed along the bottom edge 191 of the outer shell 181. One opening 110 is formed along a first end of the bottom edge 191, a second opening 110 is formed at an opposing end of the bottom edge 191, and a third opening 110 is formed between the first two openings 110 along the bottom edge 191. Preferably five openings 110 are formed along each side edge 186, 187 of the outer shell 181, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Each opening 110 preferably has a grommet 112 secured to that opening 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in a folded position the relief package 80 includes a cord 188 wrapped through openings 110 in a fashion such that the outer shell 181 is secured in a folded position. The cord 188 can not only be used to secure the relief package 80 in a folded and closed position, but it can be used to form arm openings for securing the relief package 80 onto a user's back or other such places.

The relief pod 100 includes a third support pole 200, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The support pole 200 (same as support poles 120 & 148) is secured to the tarp 102 via the three ties 128 located on the back surface 104 of the middle portion 124 and via adjacent openings 110 and grommets 112 located near a center edge of the middle portion 124, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The support pole 200 includes a pair of rubber, polymer-based , metal-based, or other material stops fastened near opposing ends of the support pole 200. In an assembled position, the ends of the support pole 200 are position through an adjacent opening 110 and grommet 112 located near a center edge of the middle portion 124 & middle grommets 112 of flotation/insulation pad 150, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Preferably, the pod 100 is placed in the relief package 80 in a partially assembled configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9E. In the partially assembled configuration, the support poles 120, 146 are positioned in the pole support sleeves 118, 144. Additionally, the tarp 102 is fastened to the floatation/insulation pad 150 by securing fasteners 140, 141 to fasteners 166, 167, respectively. Pole 200 is secured to the tarp 102 & flotation/insulation pad 150 by positioning the ends of the support pole 200 through adjacent openings 110 and grommets 112 located near a center edge of the middle portion 124 of the tarp & flotation/insulation pad 150 and through openings 110 and grommets 112 located near the center of fasteners 166, 167. Ends of support poles 120, 146 are positioned through adjacent openings 110 and grommets 112 located near the area in which the bottom edge 117 and the top edge 139 meet the side edges 111, 113, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. Ends of support poles 120, 146 are also positioned through adjacent openings 110 and grommets 112 located at opposing ends of the top edge 164 and the bottom edge 165. Then, by placing the support poles 120, 146, 200 in the partially assembled arrangement described above, the support poles 120, 146, 200 form a natural curve from one end to the other. Preferably, the curved support poles 120, 146, 200 are then placed lying flat against adjacent foam pads 154, 155, 156, 157 and the foam pads 154, 155, 156, 157 are then folded together in a stacked configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 9A.

In order to take the relief pod 100 from a preassembled configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 9A to a fully assembled position, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the foam pads 154, 155, 156, 157 are first placed on a surface and then unfolded, as illustrated in FIGS. 9B-9E. Once unfolded, the support poles 120 and 146 are then moved to a position in which the support poles 120 and 146 are at an approximately right angle with respect to adjacent foam pads 154, 157. Preferably, each end of spine support pole 170 is positioned through a respective opening 110 in a respective support spine tab 116, 142. More preferably, the spine support pole 170 comprises a hollow tube having a multi-piece, collapsible structure which uses using four inter-connected pieces 173, 174, 175 and 176, wherein each inter-connected piece 173, 174, 175, 176 includes an enlarged area 178 which has an opening designed to mate with a smaller area 179 of an adjacent piece 173, 174, 175, 176. The spine pole 170 includes a cord 177, which is preferably placed under tension, and extends through the inside of the hollow pole 170. In this manner, the pole 170 can be easily assembled by allowing the tension of the cord 177 to pull the inter-connected pieces 173, 174, 175, 176 together and form a straight and singular spinal pole 170. Once the pole 170 is straightened, it also causes the tarp 102 to straighten out and the support poles 120, 146 to rest at approximately right angle with respect to adjacent foam pads 154, 157. In this manner, all the user need to do to complete assembly would be to lift support pole 200 and attach it to the tarp 102 via ties 128, placing the pod 100 in a fully assembled position, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

In one embodiment, the pod 100 can be assembled in a partially open position, as illustrated in FIG. 12, by not securing fastener 140 to fastener 167, respectively. Assembling the pod 100 in a partially open position provides additional open space for movement. 

1. A relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration, the relief package comprising: an outer shell including a first pouch and a second pouch; a supply kit within the first pouch; a relief pod within the second pouch, the relief pod including a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles, wherein upon deployment of the relief package, the support poles support the cover above the base to define an enclosure.
 2. The relief package of claim 1, wherein the base includes a sleeve and a plurality of pads positioned within the sleeve, and wherein the pads are foldable upon one another.
 3. The relief package of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is formed of a water resistant, wind resistant, breathable material, and wherein the pads are formed of insulative floatation material.
 4. The relief package of claim 3, wherein the relief package comprises a floatation device when the relief package is in the stowed, portable configuration.
 5. The relief package of claim 1, wherein when the relief package is deployed, the support poles define a substantially inverted U-shape, the relief package further comprising a support spine extending between the support poles, the cover coupled to the support spine between the support poles.
 6. The relief package of claim 2, wherein the outer shell and the cover are formed of the same material as the sleeve.
 7. The relief package of claim 1, wherein the cover includes cover side edges and the base includes base side edges, the cover and base side edges including fasteners to couple each cover side edge to a respective one of the base side edges.
 8. The relief package of claim 7, wherein the cover includes a plurality of pole support sleeves defined in the cover and extending between the cover side edges, each pole support sleeve receiving a selective one of the support poles.
 9. The relief package of claim 8, wherein the cover includes a pair of spine support tabs positioned adjacent the pole support sleeves between the cover side edges, and wherein the relief pod further includes a collapsible spine pole having ends, each spine pole end coupled to a respective one of the spine support tabs.
 10. The relief package of claim 8, wherein the base includes a plurality of grommets and the support poles include ends, and wherein the ends of the grommets are received by respective grommets when the relief pod is deployed couple the support pole ends to the base.
 11. The relief package of claim 1, wherein the base, the cover, and the support poles are coupled to each other in a partially assembled configuration when the relief package is in the stowed, portable configuration.
 13. The relief package of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is foldable so that the first pouch overlies the second pouch, and includes a plurality of openings for receiving a length of cord for securing the outer shell in the folded position.
 14. The relief package of claim 13, wherein when the outer shell is in the folded position, the cord is configurable to form a pair of arm openings to define a backpack.
 15. The relief package of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an end portion defining a pull cord sleeve, and a pull cord extending through the pull cord sleeve, and wherein tightening the pull cord at least partially closes the enclosure.
 16. A method for providing a relief shelter, the method comprising: packaging a partially assembled relief pod and a supply kit within an outer shell to form a portable relief package, the relief pod including a base portion, a cover, a plurality of support poles, and a support spine; transporting the relief package to a shelter area; opening the outer shell; removing at least the relief pod from the outer shell; unfolding the base portion of the relief pod; moving the support poles of the relief pod to a substantially upright position; and coupling a support spine to the cover to maintain the support poles in a substantially upright position and to support the cover above the base portion to define an enclosure.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein unfolding the base portion includes unfolding a plurality of extruded polystyrene pads coupled to one another by a sleeve formed of a water resistant, wind resistant, breathable material.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the sleeve defines a plurality of openings, and wherein moving the support poles of the relief pod to a substantially upright position includes positioning end portions of the support poles into respective ones of the plurality of openings.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein coupling the support spine to the cover includes assembling the support spine from a plurality of hollow tubes coupled to one another by a tensile cord.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the cover includes a support sleeve and a portion extending away from the support sleeve and defining a pull cord sleeve, the method further comprising at least partially closing the enclosure by tightening a pull cord that extends through the pull cord sleeve to draw the portion toward the base. 